Summary

First World War memorial, probably early 1920s, with a further inscription added after the Second World War.

Description

First World War memorial, probably early 1920s, with a further inscription added after the Second World War.

MATERIALS: carved from roughly-hewn granite.

DESCRIPTION: the war memorial is prominently positioned alongside the stepped approach to the Church of St John the Baptist (Grade I). It comprises a Celtic cross and a roughly-hewn, tapering shaft. It stands on plinth of three steps with three commemorative inscriptions to the front (south) face. The upper step is inscribed in black painted lettering: TO THE/ GLORY/ OF GOD/ AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY/ OF THE AXBRIDGE MEN/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918. The central step is inscribed with the names of the servicemen, and the lower inscription reads: THEY DIED FOR YOU/ “GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS.” / AND THE WORLD WAR 1939-1945./ NAMES. The whole structure rests on a square stone base.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 14 December 2016.

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England. One such memorial was erected, probably in the early 1920s to commemorate the ten servicemen from Axbridge who lost their lives during this conflict. Following the Second World War, the names of those who died in that war were also added.

Reasons for Listing

Axbridge War Memorial, erected probably in the early 1920s, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20.
* Design: as a thoughtfully-designed memorial incorporating a Celtic cross;
* Group value: it forms a strong grouping with the church of St John the Baptist (Grade I), the steps and railings at the entrance to the churchyard (Grade II), and Church House (Grade II) and Church Rooms (Grade II), both on The Square.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677315

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Huddersfield in 50 Buildings